Tape-machine.



' 1. E. SMiTH. v TAPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1915.

1,203,547, 1 Patented Oct. 31,1916; v 3SHEETS-SHEEI:I.

J. E. SMITH.

TAPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED rs.1s.19|5.

1,203,547. Patentd Oct. 31,1916.

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TAPE MACHINE. 7 APPLICATION FILED FEB. I8. 191? I I v v Patented Oct. 31,1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT orrroE.

,.J'AMEB r. orrmw some N. Y., ASSIGNOB T0 ELIAS LIPINER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TAPE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31,1916.

Application filed February 18, 1915. Serial No. 9,126.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES E. SMITH, citiand residentof the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New invented certain new and useful the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to tape machines and in its specific embodiment as disclosed herein is designed more particularly for use on wrapping counters and in shipping departments and provides an inexpensive, compact, practical and substantially made machine for holding, unrolling, printing, moistening and cutting gummed sealing tape.

Although the machine of my invention is designed for use as" aforesaid, it is to be'understood that it can be used in connection with various kinds of 'gummed seals and adapted to other use wherein it is found applicable.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a tape machine which is simple in its construction and arrangements, strong, durable, eflicient and convenient providing a quick, simple and inexpensiv means for sealing or binding packages an bundles and making the handling of sticky tape with the hands unnecessary.

With the foregoing and other general objects in view, further more specific objects of the invention are to provide: a simple and eflicient tape holding device, with a simadjusting the tension on a roll of tape, means for threading the tape over a guarded impression roller, means for inking a printing roller by gravity inking rollers, means for feeding the tape over a removable moistening device, means for automatically moistening the tape and cutting the desired length thereof, and other arrangements of parts more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,-which show the detailed embodiments of one form of my invention.

To the. above and other ends which will ple means for hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the features of construct1on,

arrangement of parts and combination of devices to be hereinafter more fully described and particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings .wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the views, Figure 1. is

Fig. 2, and

in its use,

removed, the view illustratingeach-pa'rt in its normal position. Fig. 3. is a vertical transverse sectional view of the machine taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and looking 1n the direction of the arrows at said line. Fig, 4. 1s a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view showing the moisteni'ng tank and the means of holding the tank in place, the section being taken on the line 4 1 of looking in the direction of the arrows at said line. Fig. 5. is a view of the character illustrated in Fig. 2, but showing only the removable type wheel and some of the associated parts. Fig. 6. is a fragmentary detail side elevation with fitted cap removed showing the slot for feeding tape over the impression roller and under a guide roller. Fig. 7. is a detail vertical transverse sectional view. taken on the line 7-7 of .Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows at said line. Fig. 8. is a detail plan view partly in section of the removable handle of the type wheel.

A suitable main frame in which all "parts are mounted is designated as a whole by the reference numbered 9, and comprises two side frames or members 10 and 11, which have radiating flanges or contact devices 18 and 17 respectively on the inner faces by the frame as will hereafter more clearly appear.

The tape 13, which preferably consists of. a strap of paper coated with an adhesive on one side is wound on a wooden spool 14, in the form of a roll 15, which is-mounted to revolve on a knurled headed spindle or shaft 16. This shaft 16 is removably fitted through the side frame 10 and screw-threaded into a tapped opening in the side of the frame 11 for the purpose of holding the roll 15, and for springing the side frames 10 and 11 together, and causing the flanges or contact devices 17 and 18 to engage sides of the roll 15 and exert sufiicient pressure thereon to prevent the roll from turning too freely and prevent any tendency of the tape from FEB uncoiling on the roll. It will be understood that the roll 15 may 'be introduced into position between the side frames through the open space at the top and rear of the mathe opposite end portion of the shaft receivinga bearing in a bearing opening in the side frame 11.. A removable cap 22 is screwthreaded to fit the threaded end of shaft 20, and to support that end of it on the side frame 10 when the cap 22 is seated in place in the bearing opening 21. The opposite end of the shaft 20 is provided with a knurled head 20. An impression roller or platen 23 is removably mounted to revolve on the fixedly supported shaft 20 and has guards, flanges or heads 24 to hold tape 13 in perfect alinement when it is threaded under, around and over the impression roller. Grooved bearings 25 are cut forwardly and then downwardly on inner faces of the side frames 10 and 11, the open mouths of the grooves extending to the rear edge of the side frame. A printing roller 26 on which type 31 may be mounted has trunnions or pivots 27, extending from the ends of roller 26. An inspection of Figs. 2

and 5, indicates how the printing roller may be introduced into place or removed from the machine, the pivots 27 sliding along the bearing grooves 25 and into the vertically disposed portion thereof, to allow the printing roller 26 to rest upon impression roller 23, or the type thereon, and to revolve with the impression roller 23. A detachable handle 28 comprised of two resilient arms 29, provided with bearing openings 30 which receive the pivots 27 of the printing roller. The resiliency of the arms enables them to be sprung apart to receive the pivots of the roller or enable the roller to be detached when desired. When the roller is in place the arms 29 bear lightly against the ends of the roller.

The bearing grooves 25 are extended for wardly at 32 to provide supporting bearings which are adapted to receive the pivots 27 and support the printing roller in an elevated position where it is out of contact with the impression roller 23 and the tape which surrounds it. The printing roller is thus maintained when printing is not desired on the tape 13. Toretain the printing roller thus elevated in the non-printing position, I have provided a notch 38 in the lower edge of the finger piece of the handle 28. The notch or engaging portion of the handle is adapted to engage the upper edge of the aaoaeer part 51 of the frame, as shown in dotted line Fig. 3, and to lock the printing roller indefinitely in the dotted line or non-printing position. Weighted inking rollers 34 with shafts 36, are removably mounted and en: gaged with each other to revolve together in grooved bearings 35 in the frame. The ends of the shafts are received from above in the open mouths of the inclined bearing grooves 35, and the surface of the lower inking roller bears against the type 31 for the purpose of inking the same. The weight of two inking rollers is supported on the printing roller 26 and forces the latter downwardly in its bearing against the face of the tape supported by the impression roller or platen 23, and thus causes an imprint to be produced on the tape as the latter passes through the machine, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

A guide roller 37, for the tape is provided with a shaft 38, received at its ends in bearing openings 41 in the side frames 10 and 11. The surface of the guide roller is preferably roughened, as indicated at 30, to prevent the printed surface of the tape as it passes over the surface of the guide roller from being smeared.

A feed roller 42 is provided with a shaft 43 received at its ends in bearing openings in the side frames. One end of the shaft is threaded for cooperation with a knurled finger wheel 44, by which the shaft and the feed roller secured thereto may be turned. An associated feed or pressing roller 45, is provided with a shaft 46, the ends of which extend through, and are seated and guided in, vertically disposed bearing or guide slots 47 in the side frames 10 and 11. Springs 48 are each connected at one end to one of the side frames and its other end to one end of the shaft 46, thus forcing the pressure roller 45 against the feed roller 42, or against the tape which is received between the rollers 42 and 45. By turning the finger wheel 44, the tape will be'reeled 0d the roll 15, and fed from the machine. A ratchet wheel 46 is formed on the hub of the finger wheel 44 for coiiperation with a spring pressed pawl 47 pivoted to the outer side of the side frame 10. This pawl and ratchet wheel insure the turning of the feed roller 42, and pressure roller 45 in but one direction thus preventing the tape from being inadvertently fed backwardly into the machine.

A tape guide member 49 is detachably seand presses it with the adhesive side there of down in contact with a moistening felt or pad 53. The member 52 is secured to the rear of the member 49 above the roller 42, and bears at its forward free end portion against the tape.

The moistening .p d 53 is preferably formed from a block of felt substantially U- shaped in cross section and serrated on its upper contact face, as indicated at 55, to spread the moisture evenly and effectively over the entire gummed surface or side of the tape, as the latter passes from the machine. The moistening pad is contained in a removable tank or container 54, mounted in the machine and adapted to slide into and out ofv place on inwardly projecting L shaped flanges 54 formed on the side frames 10 and 11, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Recesses '56 are provided in the side frames where the tank 54 slides into position.

Studs 57 are formed on the slightly resilient sides of'the metal tank and when the latter slides into position these studs spring into the registering recesses 56, to hold the tank -against accidental displacement from the machine.

It will be observed that by removing the cap 22, and raising and inking the printing rollers to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 5, the tape can be readily threaded around the platen or impression roller '23. By drawin the handle 28 slightly to the rear from .t e dotted line position in Fig. 5, the-handle will be released from looking engagement with the part 51 of the frame.

The pivots 27 of the printing roller will at the same time be displaced from the support ing portions 32 of the bearing slots 25, and will move into the vertically disposed portions thereof, when the printing surface of the wheel 25 will be forced into contact with the ungummed surface of the tape 13 where it surrounds the platen 23, the weight of inking rollers bearing on the printing roller and forcing it down to and maintaining it at the printing position, as shown in tape is then fed under the guide roller 37,

- tomatically fed up over the roll of tape 15, and from the latter between the feed roller and its companion pressure roller 45, where it is grippe between said last mentioned rollers and auover the serrated moistening surface 55 of the pad and under cutting edge 50, as the tape passes from the machine. s

.It will be understood therefore that by turning the finger wheel 44 the rollers 42 and 45 will be rotated drawing the tape, which is intermediate said rollers and engaged thereby, forward. The tape as it is thusfed forward is drawn and around the platen or impression roller 23, and between the latter and the surface of the printing roller, thence around the guide Fig. 2. Thefrom the roll 15, under roller 37 and over the surface of the roll 15. y

The tape is then fed forward over the moistening surface 55 of the pad, the adhesive side of the tape being held in contact therewith byjthe springguide 52. When a'suflicient length of tape I it may be cut off with the aid of the knife 50, by moving the tape up-against the cutting edge of the knife. Thus there will be no waste of tape and no handling of it. There is no necessity whatever for the user of the machine to handle the sticky end tape to draw thetape forward through the machine as this may be effected at any time with theaid of the finger wheel 44. From the foregoing description it will be seen that side frames lO and 11 provide a substantial sup-port at opposite ends of the shafts of the various rollers, such as the impression roller or platen 23,the supporting spindle 16 of tape roll etc. It will likewise be seen that the various working parts and the tape itself are effectively protected and housed, but that, nevertheless, access may be readily hadto various parts of the device and to the tape when desired; that the machine is simple in construction and compact; that the parts may be readily assembled, detached or replaced if desired; that the parts are strong and reliable in use and cannot be readily deranged or broken; and that the machine as a whole is efii'cient in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

Furthermore, it will be seen that the position of printing roller at the lower rear ortion of the machine, near the open end 0 the frame, facilitates the ready removal of'the printing roller when desired, and that simple and eflicient means are provided for locking the printin'g'roller in the non-printing position, andforr'emoving the weight of said printing roller, and the inking rollers from the tape. It will be understood, moreover,

that the construction is such that the tape on vices which co-act therewith so'that there is d no opportun'ity for the tape to twist or skew in its passage through the machine."

While I have described with considerable detail one formof my invention it shouldbe understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of my invention and that various parts of the machine may be-used without others.

What Iclaim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of means for supporting a roll of gummed tape and guiding it through the machine, and printing means for automatically effecting an imprint on the tape has been fed forwardly as it is fed through the machine, said printing means comprising a printing roller, weighted means which cause said printing roller to bear against the ungummed Surface of the tape thus efiecting an imprint there on and turning movement of the printin roller through its contact with the tape, han actuated releasing means operable at will for moving the printing roller away from the tape and against the action of the weighted means for said roller, and locking means adapted to lock said release means in its releasing position and to maintain the printing roller indefinitely in the released or non-printing position.

2. In a machine of the character specified,

the combination of means for supporting a roll of gummed tape and guiding it through the machine, and printing means for automatlcally effecting an imprint on the tape as it is fed through the machine, said printing means comprising a printing roller mounted to press by its own weight against the ungummed face of'the tape, a plurality of weighted inking rollers adapted to hear one against another and one of them bearing against the face of the printing roller, the inking rollers being mounted so that the weight thereof is exerted against the print ing roller to force the latter into contact with the tape and thus effect an imprint on the tape as it is fed through'the machine, and hand actuated means operable at will for lifting said printing and inking rollers against their weight and for holding the printing roller off the tape in a non-printing position. 3. In a machine of the character specified, the. combination of means for supporting a roll of gummed tape and guiding it through the machine, and printing means for automatically effecting an imprint on the tape as it is fed through the machine, said printing means comprising a printing roller, a shaft for said printing roller, open mouth bearing in the frame of the machine and in which the ends of said shaft may be received, and a handle provided with bearings in which said shaft is likewise received and by means of which handle the printing roller may be readily introduced into, shifted along or removed from its bearing in the frame.

4. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of means for supporting a roll of gummed tape and guiding it through the machine, and printing means for automatically effecting an imprint on the tape as 'it is fed through the machine, said printing means comprising a printing roller, a shaft for said printing roller, open mouth bearing a handle provided with frames,

ably mounted on the said in the frame of the machine and in which the ends of said shaft may be received, and bearings in which said shaft is likewise received and by means of which handle the printing roller may be readily introduced into, shifted along, or removed from its bearings in the frame, the construction of said handle being such that it may be readily detached from the print ing roller when desired.

5. A tape machine comprising a main} frame partly closed and including two side slot therein for the threading of the tape terminating in an enlarged bearing, and the other of said frames having a restricted bearing in line with the bearing in the first named side frame, a shaft mounted in the restricted bearing and having 'removably; mounted thereon a cap, seated within the enlarged bearing, an impression roller removshaft, and a tapeholding shaft.

6. A tape machine comprising a main frame including two side frames, a tape holding shaft, a contact device ada ted to bear on the roll of tape, a remova le impression roller mounted in said frame, a grooved bearing in each side frame in the rear portion thereof and extending from rear forwardly and thence downwardly, a removable printing roller, and a removable adjusting handle on said printing roller, the shaft of said roller projecting through sides of said handle and sliding into said grooved bearings in said frame and carrying said printing roller to printing position by gravity.

7. A.tape machine comprising a main frame including two side frames, a tape holding shaft, a removable impression roller or platen, a removable printing roller, a raising and lowering handle on said printing roller, grooved hearings on inside of each side frame and on which the shaft of the printing roller is supported when printing is not desired, two weighted inking one of the said frames having a.

rollers removably restingon said printing JAMES E. SMITH.

guide the shafts of said inking Witnesses:

CHARLES E. SMITH, THOMAS F. SOHAYER.

and grooved bearings in said side 

